What it is The new Highway 5 bridge over the Osage Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks at the 35 mile marker is being built less than five feet to the east of the existing Hurricane Deck Bridge. For an estimated $32.3 million, the American Bridge Co. is constructing a new crossing that will be 38 feet wide to accommodate two 12-foot driving lanes with seven-foot shoulders on each side.

What's new Construction work was scheduled to begin impacting traffic Jan. 2. As crews place a series of steel girders on concrete piers, the existing bridge will be closed for up to 15 minutes at a time around four to eight times per day over the next four months.

Officials hope to keep travel interference to a minimum by trying to keep closings to off-peak travel times as much as possible.

“We appreciate the patience of motorists while we perform this work," Missouri Department of Transportation Resident Engineer John Sanders said.

Up until now, most of the work to build the new bridge has taken place without affecting travel on the existing bridge.

Motorists are encouraged to follow work zone signing, drive safely through the construction area, and prepare for delays in traffic.

What's next Construction is on schedule, according to Sanders. The project is slated to be finished in late 2013. Demolition of the existing bridge will occur sometime in spring 2014. The public can watch bridge construction in progress via a time-lapsed camera at the work site that captures construction images every 10-15 minutes. Go to the Major Projects link at www.modot.org for the link.